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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,April 18,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair Mark McCutcheon,Commissioners Scott Kirchner,Dennis Libby,Jon Ressler, and Bob Erickson <br /> and alternate Commissioner Gary Kraemer; Commissioners Chris Bollis and Matt Gettman were absent. <br /> Representing Staff were Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner Melanie <br /> Curtis, and City Planner Laura Oakden. <br /> Chair McCutcheon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> OATH OF OFFICE <br /> Community Development Director Barnhart led Mark McCutcheon and Gary Kraemer in the Oath of <br /> Office. <br /> APPROVAL OF AGENDA <br /> Libby moved,Erickson seconded,to approve the Agenda.VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21,2022 <br /> Libby moved,Ressler seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission <br /> meeting of March 21,2022.VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> 1. LA22-000014 Zehnder Homes,Inc.—Eric Zehnder,940 North Arm Drive,requests an <br /> average lakeshore setback variance in order to construct a pool,patio,and retaining wall to <br /> the lakeside of the home. <br /> Eric Zehnder,Applicant,was present. <br /> City Planner Oakden gave a report on the item,noting the Applicant is requesting an average lakeshore <br /> variance(ALS)to elevate the grade over 42 inches in height.A new home is being constructed on the <br /> property and the lot has a large sloping yard on the side of Lake Minnetonka. In 2001 a previous owner <br /> removed an existing home and did not restore that grade after removing the basement level leaving a large <br /> depression in the sloped lake yard. The Applicant is proposing a pool,patio,and retaining wall to the <br /> lakeside of the home forward of the ASL. These improvements are proposed to be about 11.5 feet above <br /> existing grade. Oakden showed elevations on screen. The Applicant has identified the grade left from the <br /> previous removal of the home as well as the sloped lake yard as practical difficulties; Staff finds the grade <br /> is a unique challenge to the property and not created by the current homeowner. The proposed project will <br /> create a more natural grading pattern similar to neighboring properties.However the property owner can <br /> install these improvements without elevating the grade by lowering the proposed pool and patio by using <br /> stairs to access the space from the walkout basement of the house.Elevating these improvements is seen <br /> as convenience and not necessary for the use of the property. Staff can support a variance to fill the hole <br /> left by the previous owner and use the 956 elevation contour as an estimated natural grade. Staff is <br /> challenged finding practical difficulties to support raising the grade 8 feet above the 956 elevation. <br /> Planning Staff recommends denial of the application. <br /> Page 1 of 7 <br />